Prague White Water Centre

The history of races in Prague Troja

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An artificial slalom track in Troja arose from the original raft gate, which were used since the fifties of the 19th century.  This raft gate should be filled in the seventies of the 20th century, but during only one decade was rebuilt into the slalom track because of the instigation of Professor Jaroslav Pollert. The artificial slalom served and is still used as the main training track for representatives of the Czech Republic in canoe slalom, but because of the background with different levels of difficulty is also popular place for the training of youth, teaching university students, rafting, rodeo, the training of firefighters, police and the other activities on the wild river.

The first ride on the new artificial slalom track in Troy experienced canoeists in autumn 1980. The next year the first national race took place there follow, in 1982, by the next race called ´´Trojan Horse Prize´´, this time with international participation. Thus was born the tradition of the Trojan Horse Prize race, which is held annually, either as an individual international race or as an international race one of a series of the World Cup. It was organized 11 races in Prague yet, specifically in years 1992, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010 – 2012.

Also the first historic Academic World Cup in Prague ´s Troja took place in 1994 with great participation of Mr. Kvetoslav Jech, whose effort raised the race into the international scale perception.

The Czech Cup in Troja is organized regularly (with small pauses), specifically in the years 1993-6, 1999, 2000, 2004-8, 2010 and 2011. The Czech Championship was carried out in Troja in 2003, 2012 and the last time this year in August.

After 39 years of break from the World Championship, canoe slalom race return again to Czech birthplace – Troja in 2006.  It was already the fourth international event in our area. In 1967, Lipno organized the World championship in canoe slalom, while Spindleruv Mlyn organized the World Cup of the wild river. In 1996, under the Lipno dam the Junior World Championship took place and in 1998 the European Championship was organized in Roudnice nad Labem.

In 2013 Prague's Troja hosted the World Championship in canoe slalom after short seven years,  which was by coincidence the year of Czech canoeing centenary anniversary. World Championships were one of the most sucesfull sport event organised in Czech Republic. Best results are world champion title for Vavrinec Hradilek, second for Jiri Prskavec and Volf/Stepank. Another two gold medals add czech in team races. If Prague will be a candidate for the Olympic Games, this resort could be selected as the Olympic area just for water slalom.